Patients seen more quickly thanks to occupational therapy teamwork

Patients are being seen more quickly thanks to innovative measures by UHNM’s occupational therapy team. Staff have implemented a new priority system to ensure patient referrals are triaged and actioned in a timely manner. They have also set up a communication group to help the team liaise with each other and respond to any real-time changes to planned workload.

Helen Ashley, Director of Strategy and Transformation, said: “The team’s work ensures they can be reactive, expedite discharges and keep patients safe. It’s really encouraging to see the dedication of our staff and the way they work together, always striving for new and better ways of working for the benefit of our patients.”

Staff have been given the Team of the Month award in recognition of their work.

Helen Ashley presented the team with their award 

Rachel Miles, advanced occupational therapist, said: “As a team we aim to keep promoting the values of the Trust. We work in a way which is goal-focussed and we want to keep delivering person- centred care and encouraging independence.

“The team continue to strive to share their skills and expertise by supporting student occupational therapists from multiple universities on placements and promoting the profession to prospective applicants for current Trust vacancies.”

There are currently seven occupational therapists for in-patient services within the specialised division at Royal Stoke. These therapists cover several specialist areas including trauma, neck of femur, neurosurgery, neurology, paediatrics, hyper-acute specialised tehabilitation and cardiothoracics and provide a seven-day service.